i'm new to linux as a main os, i'ved used it for a server for over a year now.
i'm done with windows, and would like to use only linux. my needs however are this

1) kernel works well with the nvidia drivers. my understaning means that it needs to use 8k stacks instead of 4kstacks

2) UT2k4 will install out of box like it does on fedora core 2

3) software i need, (i can download it too, but its nice when its included with the distro): Gimp, xmms-mp3, Mplayer, Quanta, Gaim, and an IRC client. a telnet/ssh client would be nice too.

4) i'm not too new to linux installs, so i dont need a REALLY easy install, i'm thinking about Slackware or Gentoo but i dont know which one is best for me..

anyway, all input is welcome
thanx

DarkLordZim

long live the:

Any linux will do this, tho I hear fedora is slower than some. The boxed MAndrake comes with the nividia binary driver, but I use the free gpl mandrake and it was no trouble to install the nvidia driver. The other stuff is pretty much fine across the bord with linux desktop distros. All the apps you mention came with mandrake 10 and are on my box. Haven't tried UT2k4 but had ut2k3 running and it was fine (but slightly sluggish on my old P3 700...

I'd sugest Gentoo Linux.
It is really good, especially the portage tree.
You can install packages sooooo easily.
I had a bit of trouble withe installation and getting KDE to run but then againg, Thats because im a newb (n00b, noob nooB WHAT EVER). I think Gentoo is damn good.
Better than FC2 at least ;-)

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux-Distributions and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

thank you for the suggestions so far.

i'm currently downloading gentoo, and slackware 10
i'm thinking of trying slackware first... but i'll try a few distros before i'm ready to commit to one for my desktop (the joys of having my own backup server)